Summary
The Mercedes-Benz CL Class has 6 recalls spanning 2000 through 2003, the most serious being a fire risk on 2001 models with the 12-cylinder engine, where corrosion inside the Active Body Control high-pressure hydraulic hose can cause fluid to leak near the catalytic converter.
On 2002 models, the right rear seatbelt buckle can crack during a crash, potentially failing to restrain the occupant. There is also a 2001 Active Body Control issue where front strut sensors can fall outside their operating tolerance and transmit inaccurate readings to the vehicle's main computer, affecting suspension response. On the electrical side, 2000 models can experience instrument cluster backlighting failures: early production units built through late 2000 have a defective transformer that can cause an electrical short, while vehicles built in early 2002 have a capacitor with incorrect internal layers that produces fluctuating current. The 2000 CL500 also has high-beam headlamps that do not meet Canadian lighting standards, which can reduce forward visibility at night. On 2003 models, trunk lid springs can weaken from heat exposure and fail to push the lid open after unlocking, though the trunk can still be opened manually.
